EXPANDING EXPORTS A TOP ISSUE FOR CORN GROWERS

FEBRUARY 2016

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(Posted Wed. Feb 17th, 2016)

The importance of trade to corn growers was emphasized by National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling in remarks made at the U.S. Grains Council’s 13th International Marketing Conference and 56th Annual Membership Meeting, taking place this week in Florida.

“We have set an ambitious goal of building demand in the years ahead, and it’s a goal we cannot meet without looking outside our nation’s borders,” Bowling said. “Exports or corn and corn products will play a critical role in increasing competitive market demand, and we’re working with the U.S. Grains Council and other partners – as one team – to sustainably meet growing needs for food and fuel worldwide.”

In his presentation, Bowling focused on the recent growth in ethanol exports, noting the work of the Grains Council and its partners, Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association and USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. Bowling noted that NCGA’s new strategic plan has an objective of working with the Grains Council and other value chain stakeholders to increase exports of corn and corn products by 25 percent by 2020.

In addition, Bowling stressed the need to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the largest free trade agreement ever negotiated by the United States in terms of the value of trade and the number of countries. He said the TPP will set a precedent for future trade agreements, including the Trans-Atlantic Trade & Investment Partnership.

“We are very pleased with how our relationship with the U.S. Grains Council has evolved and grown over the years,” Bowling said. “Now that we are sharing offices in our nation’s capital, the opportunities for collegiality and collaboration have only strengthened.”